frequently asked questions
transportation
Most of our clients go through Keflavik International Airport in Iceland. Be there at least 2½ hours before departure, for check-in. Bring your passport since it‘s needed for travel to Greenland. This also applies to citizens in the Schengen area.
The flight to Kulusuk is done with a Bombardier Dash 7 200 or Dash 7 400. The 200 has 35 seats and the 400 has 70 seats so it is a relatively small aircraft. The flight takes approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes.
Unpredictable weather such as wind or fog can occasionaly affect flying times and cause delays.
It takes about 40 minutes to walk to the village and the guide will take the group there. A quad-bike with a trailer will take the larger luggage (duffel bags) to the house where you stay.
The guide will meet the group at the airport upon arrival of the aircraft from Keflavik International Airport in Iceland. It‘s a very small airport, and the guide will make sure he/she is seen.
Accommodation
Most of our trips to East Greenland use a typical Greenlandic house in Kulusuk (where the trips start and finish) originally built for one family. The downstairs is made up of an entrance, dry toilet (bucket toilet), kitchen, and living/dining room. The upstairs is a dormitory with mattresses on the floor. It does not have running water, but it has central heating and electricity. To have a shower in Kulusuk one must walk 200m to the Service house of the village where showers are available for 15 DKK per person. The Service house is open from 8.00 in the morning to 15.00 (3pm) in the afternoon on weekdays.
Once the trekking trips leave Kulusuk the other nights are spent in tents (see this blog about accommodation on the treks).
On the Arctic Villages trip the accommodation is in family-style houses/huts (see this blog about the accommodation on the Arctic Villages trip)
On privately organized trips there is also an option to use hotels and/or guesthouses.
It depends on the trip you‘re going on. For trips like the Arctic Villages trip a good sleeping bag for indoor accommodation is sufficient. For the treks (Karale and Icefjord) a sleeping bag of comfort level 0° C to – 5° C (32 to 21°F) is advisable for a pleasant experience. If you don‘t have a suitable sleeping bag you can rent one from us.
No, the house is unlocked at times and is often used by other groups while you are on your trip.
Luggage
We recommend taking the most important equipment with you as cabin luggage during your flight or carry the respective clothes/shoes on your body, notably trekking boots and trousers, fleece shirt, warm and waterproof jacket, rain gear, functional underwear, glasses, hat, gloves, and everything else you consider important. In case of baggage loss, you are thus at least able to start the tour.
The luggage restrictions for the trip are 15 kg (33 lbs) per person + 6 kg (13 lbs) hand luggage. We strongly recommend that you travel with a duffel bag and a 30-40 liter daypack.
Yes, boats transport all major equipment such as sleeping bags, food and tents every time the group changes location. You only carry your day pack (30-40 liter backpack).
Boats
Transport is mainly done with 10 to 12 passenger speed boats that sail up to 25 knots speed. These boats are licensed for passenger transport. It normally takes one to two hours to sail to and from the hiking areas.
Group members might need to lend a hand to carry luggage short distances to/from the boat landing place to/from the accommodation.
Note that drift ice and other unpredictable weather reasons can affect sailing times and cause delays. Arctic Hiking can never be held responsible for delays caused by such reasons, but we will do our very best to avoid delays and adapt the program to each situation that comes up.
There are no roads connecting towns/villages in Greenland. Therefore boat transport is widely used especially to transport people to remote areas. Greenland has also a tight net of air transport using both helicopters and airplanes.
Hiking terrain
The terrain we navigate during the hikes is uneven and sometimes rocky. In certain places we have a little trodden path while in other places we are totally off the beaten track. On the Arctic Villages trip the days including boat transfer are typically shorter, 2-3 hours of active walking, while other days take 5-7 hours to complete. The walks can include exposed or steep, rocky, stoney or uneven terrain.
It is therefore very important that participants are fit and experienced hikers.
Food & Water
Our guide makes sure we buy as much as possible locally, and when available this includes fresh fish. Our aim is to have the food as fresh and nutritious as possible.
For breakfast we might make porridge, the Nordic breakfast classic, which gives fullness and long-lasting energy. We also bring muesli, bread, butter, cheese, and jam. And of course, tea and coffee.
In the morning, group members make their lunch-packs: bread, spreads, hams and cheeses. And nobody should go on a trek without biscuits. We will also provide some nuts and chocolate snacks but those who have special preferences might want to bring a few of their favorite energy bars or snacks.
The guide prepares dinner at the end of the day (help with chopping and preparing is appreciated). Each meal has three courses, starter, main and dessert. We try to have the menu diverse and keep a good balance. To give you an idea, you could have soup to start with, then fried fish and rice, and a piece of cake for dessert.
Vegetarians and vegans should be aware that availability of vegetarian/vegan products might be limited due to the region‘s restraints. We will, however, do our best to accommodate your needs.
Yes, that is possible. Those who need a gluten-free diet are kindly asked to assist the guide when shopping food to ensure the appropriate products are bought.
Greenland is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of drinking water. The water from the tap is always good and it is also safe to drink directly from almost all lakes and rivers. Please help the environment, bring a water bottle, and never buy bottled water while in Greenland.
About Greenland
Greenland is the largest island of the world and covers almost 2.2 million square kilometers (0.85 million square miles). That is equivalent to 4 times the size of France or 5 times the size of California or 22 times the size of its nearest neighbor to the East, Iceland. Over 80% of Greenland‘s surface is covered by the world´s second largest icecap. The landscape in Greenland is shaped by ice and water. The main characteristics are deep fjords, sharp mountains, and long valleys, decorated with glaciers of all sorts and sizes. And the ocean is deep blue with icebergs and drift ice giving it a creamy flavor.
There are about 57.000 inhabitants in Greenland. In East Greenland are about 3.000 and there of around 250 in Kulusuk, 250 in Kuumiit, 80 in Tiniteqilaq and 2000 in Tasilaq.
Greenland is mainly inhabited by Inuits but there are also many Danes. The main languages are Kallalit (Greenlandic) and Danish. In East Greenland the language is East Greenlandic which closely related to the language of the West coast but not quite the same.
Traditionally Greenlanders are hunters, and that element stays extremely strong in East Greenland.
There are primarily Sled Dogs in Greenland. The Greenland Sled Dog race is a Spitz race originating from the colder Boreal regions. It is a hard-working dog that never goes inside a house but spends its entire life outside in the harsh conditions of the Arctic. They are normally friendly, but stay away from them unless you are with the owner as they are not pets. In summer they are chained and stay immobile, waiting for winter.
During the winter Polar Bears live on the drift ice along the East Coast of Greenland. In the spring most of them return northwards and the region we are traveling does not have a permanent bear population in the summer. However, it is not uncommon that one or two of them stay behind during summer. Bears are hunted in East Greenland and have been for thousands of years. They are therefore shy and avoid people most of the time. Bear sightings are rare in winter and very rare in summer but for safety reasons the guide carries a firearm. Most of our guides have not seen a bear in their lifetime but if the unexpected happens and a bear is seen close to a group, a likely result is the evacuation of the group to another safe area.
The Weather
Since Greenland is a very large island it depends on where in Greenland you are. We operate in East Greenland (the Ammassalik
region) and south Greenland and therefore there are two slightly different answers (read this blog about the weather).
In short, the climate in East Greenland is an arctic Polar climate. The weather is calm, dry, sunny, and cool
in temperatures for most of the year. In the South the fjords are quite deep and the climate is considerably milder at the bottom of the fjords compared to the opening. The climate here is in between temperate and arctic (polar) climates.
Cash or Credit?
Yes, most supermarkets accept international credit cards. It can, however, be useful to have some cash to pay for souvenirs and tips.
The curency used in Greenland is Danish Crowns (DKK).
Yes, these unique pieces of art can be found in the towns and villages. These elaborate figures come in many different shapes and sizes and are often carved from narwhal and walrus tusk. They are an important part of Greenlandic Inuit culture and can for example be bought in tourist offices and souvenir shops.
Mobile phones - Charging
In and near the villages a mobile phone connection is available as well as 4G/Internet services. Greenland is not a part of the European Union (EU) and therefore roaming charges are higher than within the EU and US. For communication in the wilderness the guide carries a satellite device like an Iridium phone and/or InReach.
Yes, in the villages that‘s possible. We strongly recommend bringing a power bank/spare batteries where electricity is not available such as during the treks (camping days).
Travel Insurance
We kindly ask all our clients to purchase travel insurance that covers medical expenses and transportation needed for any emergencies that might come up. We also recommend that the insurance covers possible costs caused by flight delays.
Cancellations
If we don‘t have the minimum number of participants at least 6 weeks prior to departure we cancel that departure. In case your departure is cancelled we wil do our best to accommodate you on another confirmed departure. If that is not possible the terms of payment apply, see here.
